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1 1 1 Friday, A pril 7, 2 0 1 7 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | w w w .insideH A LT O N .com Speaking to the power of libraries to transform a life C anada lost a prominent Native author and storyteller on March 10, when Richard Wagamese died. Canadian libraries lost a friend and advo cate. In the 1970s, Richard was a homeless teenager in St. Catharines. The library there changed his life. My name is Susan Cameron and I am a li brarian at Oakville Public Library In September 2 0 1 3 ,1 attended a reading for Richard' s book Ragged Company with my col league Ruth Borst. His words that night were unforgettable. Ragged Company tells the story of four homeless people who find a lottery ticket and win $3.5 million. It is a powerful, beautifully written novel that deepens one' s understand ing of the homeless. After Richard' s talk, someone in the audi ence asked him to speak about his education He told us more about the special librarian who answered his questions patiently, rec ommended books, and quietly brought him food. One day, Richard asked her about a mu sician he had been reading about, named Beethoven. He asked, "Did you know he was deaf and still composed symphonies, and he could put a hand on the lid of the piano and recognize the notes by their vibration?" and the teachers who had influenced him. The librarian asked Richard if he would He asked how many librarians were in the like to hear some of Beethoven' s music, and room. Ruth and I put up our hands, along with about 15 other people. He then told us about the St. Catharines li brarian who changed his life. Richard spent every day in the library there, where it was warm and dry, behind a stack of books on his desk. she took him to the listening room. Shortly after, she took him to see Beethoven' s opera Fidelia , in Toronto. This was followed by outings to see Tchaikovsky' s Romeo and Juliet , and to art galleries. She opened the world for him. He told us that the librarian taught him to read, see, hear, and feel through everything she introduced to him. Richard left St. Catharines and turned his life around. He lost touch with the librarian, but never forgot her. see Speaker on p.24 Working for Individuals and Small Businesses K now ledge* Strategy PERSONAL INJURY Family. Together forever. Pre-select space in our elegant Last Supper Mausoleum and honour your family and faith forever. For generations to come, our modern buildings will provide for comfortable visitation in any season. COMMERCIAL LITIGATION L A W Y E R S ^ l L P EMPLOYMENT LAW &W SIB 1-888-880-7080 KELLYSINGHLAW.COM 1100 Burloak Drive, Suite 604, Burlington, ON L7L 6B2 Complete your mausoleum pre-planning today. Take the first step. Call now. 905-257-1100 g le n o a k s .c a Glen Oaks Funeral Flome& Cemetery by Arbor Memorial 3164 Ninth Line (4 0 3 & Dundas St.), M ississauga/O akville, ON Arbor Memorial Inc. KITCHENS & BATHS INC Proud Nominee of the 2015 Oakville Awards for Business Excellence Family Owned. Proudly Canadian. N e e d h e lp w ith h o u s e -c le a n in g ? A L e t u s d o it f o r y o u ! D i s c o v e r c l e a n i n g s e r v i c e t h a t 's a f f o r d a b le , r e lia b le , a n d c o n v e n ie n t. Sunrise Cleaning Services C a ll u s to d a y f o r a f r e e e s t i m a t e ! 9 0 5 -5 6 7 -1 1 9 9 C h eck o u t ou r cu rre n t s p e c ia ls a t: w w w .S u n ris e -C le a n in g .c a J J * ' V T Servicing Oakville for over 20 years! Custom made Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinetry \ Closet Systems Entertainment Units \ Basement Renovations \ Full Renos and More! S P R IN G ! l!S*6oiyilNG ! B o o k Y o u r S p rin g C le a n in g n o w a n d r e c e iv e 2 0 % o f f . ·R e c u r r in g c le a n in g . ·O n e t i m e c l e a n i n g . · S p r in g c l e a n i n g . ·P o s t r e n o v a t i o n c l e a n i n g . · M o v in g c l e a n i n g . v ·G i f t c e r t i f i c a t e s . C reate Your D ream Look 100% Canadian Made Cabinetry Quality Craftsmanship 20+ Years Experience Visit our 6000 sqft Design Centre Call us for a FREE in Home Consultation Units 2-3 333 W yecroft Rd, Oakville T 905.844.3332 F 905.844.3334 w w w .arom akitchens.ca | info@ aromakitchens.ca